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At the same time we were at the Botanic Garden, there was another lovely surprise in store that worked out nicely for Jon and Ben, besides the tulips only for me to gawk at!To be honest, and quite understandably, boys are less into flowers, as they are, when it comes to more "gungho" (read: manly) stuff. But with Jon's two ECAs (afterschool activities) cancelled that day, it was our chance to go catch the blooms while they lasted.
What we didn't know ahead, was that there was an exhibition of mosaic sculptures going on this period. Actually, it hadn't officially started, when I subsequently looked up the information. But already, while we were there, the rainbow-coloured artwork of the late Franco-American sculptor, Niki de Saint Phalle, dotted the garden grounds!You may know her as the famous creator of the "Nanas" (French slang for "chicks" or "babes", not erm grandma, mind you ;p) -- those brightly painted, oversized female figures, as a symbol of female empowerment.
And there's more to de Saint Phalle's work -- from totem poles, to animals, to black heroes -- of what we saw before the rain came. All "playful, larger-than-life creations celebrating diversity, women, children, love, and joy" -- what a visual feast, and treat, our visit turned out to be!
Best of all, there aren't any "Do Not Touch" signs next to the sculptures, so every one young and not-so-young can just go up-close for a good look and feel. And as you can imagine, the place -- so alive with the whimsical sculptures -- became a playground of sorts not just for Jon and Ben, but all children alike!
Just as the garden website advises (never mind we hadn't known about this beforehand, and had assumed it to be the case):
"Children are encouraged to touch, sit on, and even climb some of the works"....
How cool is that? =)
Jon and Ben found this skull sculpture (or "cave" as Ben called it) the most intriguing...
... check out the different views it accords from the inside and out, not to mention the different materials/texture it's made up of!
11 comments:
Those mosaic sculptures are amazing! Are they permanent or visiting? Lucky you! Hope they come this way sometime soon!!
SAHM,
Just visiting, so there's a chance it may come your way! I think you'll love them... they look to me as whimsical as it gets =)
Yes, the mosaic sculptures are great. My son was looking at the skull and quite interested in it.
WOW!!! So nice. The flowers, the sculptures...the FRESH air!!!!
those sculptures are so creative and cool... beautiful weather too... great outing day :-)
A sporty mum you are, also! I see the flowery beauty more than those "structures". Ha, ha...
Nice and interesting sculptures. And being outdoors when you are in colder weather zones is also more relaxing, right? Imagine walking in the park back home. You'll be sweating all over!!
Great artwork! Looked like u guys had the plc all to urselves. Guess there weren't many visitors at that time?
Lovely place. I think if we go anywhere, as long as the kids enjoy being there, it makes it such a wonderful day.
Wow, amazing sculptures, and they are so new to me! I've never seen anything like such. Your boys seem to have so much FUN!
What pleasure it is to have botanic gardens. =D If I'm near your place, would love to take walks with you occassionally yah... =) Have a blessed week ahead.
Jo-N,
Your boy has great taste! According to a write-up in yesterday's papers, it is the largest work in the exhibition, and I guess probably one of the sculptor's best. Kids love that skull!
Nomadic Mom,
Ahhh!!!
Sting,
The raindrops started falling midway through our walk in the garden, but it was so nice to have been able to see the tulips and as many of the sculptures during the same visit =).
Yan,
Hehe, I like to take more landscape/composition kind of shots, so was taking the sculptures within their beautiful context ;p
Tot's mom,
Yes, spring weather is nice and cool, but not too much rain and thunderstoms, please!
Slavemom,
It was Sat, the skies were overcast, threatening to pour... so that might have kept some folks home. But others like us (me), were out there, wanting to catch the blooms!
Clockwise,
My boys hadn't wanted to go, when I said we were going to see the tulips. So the surprise of the sculptures turned out to be a real bonus! You're right, so long as there's some nice (open) space for kids to run around, they are generally happy!
Stardust,
Thanks, how nice if we can go on walks like this together =). You have a blessed week, too!
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